June 27 – July 2
27 Genesis 2:1-7 – THL 20 The week closed with a day special to Himself. 28 Genesis 2:15-25 – THL 622 With Eve human… Read More »June 27 – July 2
June 2011
June 19- 25
19 Trinity Sunday Romans 1:7 -THL 251 Grace and peace to you! 20 Genesis 1:1-25 – THL 9 Is the Universe Trinitarian? (Cf. John… Read More »June 19- 25
June 12- 18
12 Pentecost Acts 2:37-47 – THL 231 His promise to you and your children. 13 John 7:37-39 – THL 230 Jesus can rescue souls… Read More »June 12- 18
June 6-11
6 Acts 16:6-10 -THL 495 God has saving, sanctifying priorities. 7 Acts 16:11-15 – THL 493 The Lord opened doors and hearts. 8 John… Read More »June 6-11
God-Pleasing Fatherhood
What is fatherhood? What does it mean to be a father? Those interested in learning the meaning of this important role in life would be well advised not to study the current examples of the unbelieving world.
By observing the practice of a growing number of men, we might be led to think that fatherhood involves no more than biologically fathering children. After fathering a child, heartless self-serving men cut and run, leaving mother and child to fend for themselves. Other proud and arrogant men think they are doing society a favor by donating to a sperm bank (believing that they are improving the gene pool).
Holy Scripture has long genealogical lists of so-and-so begetting so-and-so, but these lists are not recorded and preserved in order to teach that fatherhood involves only the begetting of children!Read More »God-Pleasing Fatherhood
Christian Apologetics – 3
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you…” 1 Peter 3:15
Introduction To Worldviews
“I AM WHO I AM” (Exodus 3:14)
In articles so far we’ve seen that there is no neutral ground between the Christian and the non-Christian. This means that we will defend Christianity as a whole and complete system, and we will set it against any other (2 Corinthians 10:5).
But what exactly is a worldview?
A worldview is a network of presuppositions or foundational commitments that a person has. These commitments are not tested by natural science. They guide one’s thinking and hold the highest authority in one’s life. If one’s core presuppositions were to change, then one’s whole view of life would change with it.Read More »Christian Apologetics – 3
Installation of Pastor Kesterson
On the big day at St. Stephen Lutheran, many of Pastor Kesterson’s extended family were present (see photo below). The same day the congregation celebrated the anniversary of its sanctuary (it had belonged to a funeral home and was permanently moved to the site 25 years ago). Don Drews narrated a slide show that depicted the move, the construction of a foundation, and the reassembly of the building. Before this the congregation had met in rented facilities.Read More »Installation of Pastor Kesterson
Annoucements
CLC General Pastoral Conference
June 14-16, 2011
Immanuel Lutheran College — Eau Claire, Wisconsin
Agenda:
- Update on Current Theological Issues in American Lutheranism, With a Focus on Former Members of the Synodical Conference – Pastor Delwyn Maas
- Attending Religiously “Affiliated” Schools: A Pastoral Perspective – Pastor David Schierenbeck
- New Testament Exegesis (1 Thessalonians 4:13ff) – Pastor Caleb Schaller
- A Study of Forgiveness as it Relates to the Lord’s Supper – Professor Steven Sippert
- Becoming a More Effective Preacher – Pastor Paul Nolting
- Why Young People Are Leaving the CLC (Survey/Study) – Pastor Paul Naumann
- Old Testament Exegesis (Joel 2:28ff) – Pastor Paul KrauseRead More »Annoucements
Defilement before God comes from within, not without!
When He had called the multitude to Himself, He said to them, “Hear and understand: Not what goes into the mouth defiles a man; but what comes out of the mouth, this defiles a man.” Then His disciples came and said to Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees were offended when they heard this saying?” But He answered and said, “Every plant which My heavenly Father has not planted will be uprooted. Let them alone. They are blind leaders of the blind. And if the blind leads the blind, both will fall into a ditch. Then Peter answered and said to Him, “Explain this parable to us.” So Jesus said, “Are you also still without understanding? Do you not yet understand that whatever enters the mouth goes into the stomach and is eliminated? But those things which proceed out of the mouth come from the heart, and they defile a man. Read More »Defilement before God comes from within, not without!
Is there a hell?” OR “Has God Indeed Said…?
The devil in the cloak of the serpent posed the question that ensnared Adam and Eve. God said, “…but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat…” (Genesis 2:17). Satan asked, “Has God indeed said, ‘You shall not eat of every tree of the garden?’” (Genesis 3:1)
God had declared the consequence of disobedience. If Adam and Eve ate of the forbidden fruit, they would “surely die” (Genesis 2:17). Flatly contradicting God, Satan said, “You will not surely die” (Genesis 3:4).Read More »Is there a hell?” OR “Has God Indeed Said…?
King Comfort
No, this writing is not intended to be a promotion for a bedding or mattress company! Rather, it has to do with Jesus and the comfort He sends from heaven where He reigns as our King.Actually, though, the gospel allows us to go to bed and sleep in peace and comfort (Psalm 4:8)!
The word “comfort” occurs frequently in the Bible as well as in worldly writings. Take Shakespeare, for example. In The Tragedy of King Richard II we find the Queen and others troubled, woeful, and sad (Act II, Scene ii). The Duke of York walks in, and she asks him to “speak comfortable words.” His answer contains a memorable line: “Comfort’s in heaven; and we are on the earth, where nothing lives but crosses, pain, and grief.”
It is a grim line, but it makes one think of heaven and the comfort there.
Yet this comfort is not just a “thing” or a “commodity.” It is a Person! Our Comfort in heaven is Christ Himself. And His Ascension and Session (being seated) provide us with much comfort down here, before we get to heaven.Read More »King Comfort
Pray for the Spirit
“If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him!” (Luke 11:13)
When I was a young child, I recall feeling somewhat disappointed when I heard this Bible verse. It was building up to a grand conclusion, “If you then, being evil know how to give good gifts….” Then I expected, “How much more will your heavenly Father give even greater gifts to those who ask!”
Again, as a child I thought about all the greater things God could give. When the passage continued, it somehow wasn’t quite what I had in mind: “How much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him.”
I soon realized that there is no greater gift than the Holy Spirit!
Earthly fathers can give us only earthly gifts: food, clothing, a home, and other things to enjoy in this life, but all such things are temporary. Through the Holy Spirit, however, our heavenly Father can give gifts that last forever!Read More »Pray for the Spirit